Max Allegri reveals Carlos Tevez almost didn’t play in Monaco and these problems prompted his change of system.
The Bianconeri had won the first leg 1-0 and seemed to rely rather too heavily on that fact, surviving under pressure at the Stade Louis II for a goalless draw.
It was their third consecutive Champions League clean sheet and books their spot in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2003.
Max Allegri reveals Carlos Tevez almost didn’t play in Monaco and these problems prompted his change of system.
The Bianconeri had won the first leg 1-0 and seemed to rely rather too heavily on that fact, surviving under pressure at the Stade Louis II for a goalless draw.
It was their third consecutive Champions League clean sheet and books their spot in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2003.
“Tonight the objective was to reach the semi-final. We might not have played very attractive football, but it’s difficult to take on Monaco and we made many technical errors,” the Coach told Sport Mediaset.
“I think it was a good performance defensively, as we allowed little or nothing to Monaco. At the end of the day, the result counts for more than the performance tonight.
“We knew that we had to score to be sure and had two chances before the break where we could’ve done better. We didn’t make the most of other opportunities either, but we also ran very few risks at the back.”
Juventus are through to the semi-finals along with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
“I am pleased for the lads, as I think they deserved this semi-final for all they’ve done in the Champions League. We only lost twice by 1-0, undeservedly in my view, and we always did well in the other games.
“These are the three biggest clubs in Europe. I can certainly guarantee it will be a completely different game against these sides than with Monaco.”
Allegri used a 4-3-1-2 system in the first leg, but moved to a 3-5-2 for the second leg and defended this switch.
“I decided this system because I saw the players every day in training. Tevez until two hours beforehand was in doubt to play at all because he was vomiting for two days straight. Vidal had fever and Pirlo had played two games in a row after being out for two months.
“I had to take into account the need for changes from the bench if we had gone behind. Considering the situation of the players going in, I thought it was the best choice.
“I knew full well this could mean a bad performance, but the objective was to reach the semi-final in these conditions.”
The bug suffered by Tevez may well have spread, as there are reports Alvaro Morata was physically sick after his substitution.
Allegri has taken Juve beyond where Antonio Conte had reached in the Champions League, so has he finally won the supporters over?
“I think it’s normal for Juventus fans to be wary after replacing a Coach who had won three straight Scudetti, especially as it all happened in a day.
“Not many Coaches have gone from Milan to Juventus. I’d already won the Scudetto and Super Cup. Work is the only way forward.
“This team has to keep going and above all improving, as we are in the Champions League semi-finals and the Coppa Italia Final. At the moment I am very happy.”